From Greek, "nikao", "to conquer," and Greek, "laos", "the people," or "laity." There is no ancient authority for a sect of the Nicolaitanes. If the word is symbolic, it refers to the earliest form of the notion of a priestly order, or "clergy," which later divided an equal brotherhood (Mat 23:8) into "priests" and "laity." What in Ephesus was "deeds" (Rev 2:6) had become in Pergamos a "doctrine (Rev 2:15).

was his teaching Balak to corrupt the people who could not be cursed. (Num 31:15); (Num 31:16); (Num 22:5); (Num 23:8) by tempting them to marry women of Moab, defile their separation, and abandon their pilgrim character. It is that union with the world and the church which is spiritual unchastity. (Jam 4:4). Pergamos had lost the pilgrim character and was "dwelling" (Rev 2:13) "where Satan's throne is," in the world. (Joh 12:31); (Joh 14:30); (Joh 16:11).